According to data shared by socialbites.ca, drawn from the Automobile Manufacturers Committee of the Association of European Enterprises in Russia, the April 2023 tally for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles reached about 54,300 units. The month showed a sharp surge in demand, with year-over-year growth of 70.6 percent, equating to roughly 22,500 more vehicles than April 2022. The figures cited by AEB reflect cars sold by manufacturers or official importers, providing a trusted snapshot of the market.
Within this period, the Russian market saw Lada lead the pack with around 27,600 vehicles sold, a remarkable 225 percent jump from the prior year. Chinese brands followed, with Haval moving more than 7,300 units, up 805 percent, and Geely registering about 6,100 cars for the month compared with 433 in April 2022. The four-month cumulative results show AvtoVAZ accounting for roughly 91,900 vehicle sales, Haval about 24,000, and Geely near 18,800.
From the April results, Lada Granta claimed the status of the best-selling model in Russia, with nearly 19,900 units sold. The Niva ranked second with around 7,300 units, while the Haval Jolion came in third with about 3,800 cars. Rounding out the top ten were models such as Geely Coolray, Haval F7X and F7, Geely Tugella, Changan CS35 Plus, Haval Dargo, and Geely Atlas Pro, illustrating a diverse lineup of domestic and imported offerings capturing consumer interest.
Earlier disclosures noted that the Moskvich brand sold fewer than 1,000 units in April, underscoring the evolving preferences within the market and the competitive dynamics at play among both domestic and foreign automakers operating in Russia.
Overall, the April 2023 performance signals a broad-based revival across segments, with strong gains for both established domestic players and international brands expanding their footprint. The data from the AEB provides a clear view of how brands positioned in Russia during that period managed to attract buyers, highlighting shifts in consumer demand, import activity, and local production influence. While the pace of growth was notable, the mix of models also reflected varied consumer tastes, from compact sedans to small crossovers, and the continued resilience of popular domestic brands alongside newer entrants from Asia. This combination of factors contributed to a market landscape that appeared poised for continued volatility and opportunity in the months that followed, influenced by broader economic conditions and evolving trade patterns affecting the automotive sector in Russia and neighboring regions.